With a year-round pleasant climate and stunning beaches, Hurghada is one of Egypt’s biggest holiday destinations. From a small fishing village, it has developed over the years into a thriving tourist town. Hurghada offers a wealth of quality hotels, stunning holiday destinations, the colourful underwater world of the Red Sea and genuine Egyptian hospitality. High-quality all-inclusive hotels offer a carefree holiday. Hurghada also offers excellent conditions for snorkelling, diving and golf. International excursions take you to some of the world’s most famous sights, such as the pyramids or the Sphinxes.
Hurghada is divided into three districts; El Dahar, Sekalla and New Hurghada, all on a strip of coastline about 40km long. El Dahar is the oldest and most authentic area of Hurghada. Many Egyptians live here, and the cheapest shopping can be found here. You can visit the local souk; a market selling everything from fruit and vegetables to shoes, blankets and hookahs. The Sekalla area is considered the centre of Hurghada and has shops and restaurants along its main street. The area also boasts a stylish new port and a lively nightlife. The southern part of Hurghada is known as New Hurghada. The extensive area is mainly made up of stunning large hotels that have invested in services. New Hurghada is ideal for those who want a truly relaxing holiday without leaving the hotel area.
The climate in Hurghada is hot and dry. The coolest months are from December to February, when average daily temperatures stay in the 20s. In spring and autumn, daytime highs reach 30 degrees Celsius, and in the summer months the mercury rises to near 40 degrees. Temperatures drop greatly with the sun, so it can be cool at night in the resort.
Travel documents Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip.
In addition, Finnish citizens need a visa for Egypt.
An electronic visa (E-Visa) can be applied for in advance at the Egypt e-Visa Portal visa2egypt.gov.eg.
The e-visa application must be completed and paid for at least 7 days before arrival. The visa is not included in the price of the trip.
You can also apply for a visa on arrival at Hurghada airport, but be prepared for long queues at busy times.
All trips from Helsinki are self-catering flight+hotel packages and do not include guide services. Flight+hotel packages can only be booked online and payment is made at the time of booking either by online bank transfer or credit card.
Definitely worth experiencing in Hurghada is the underwater world of the Red Sea. Explore the Red Sea by taking a snorkelling trip or even a diving experience or course. Snorkelling and diving in the Red Sea is like swimming in an aquarium. The water is crystal clear and you get to see the sea’s interesting inhabitants up close. There are many diving schools in Hurghada. There are also glass-bottom boat trips where you can see this beautiful underwater world without even dipping your toes.
Hotels sell a range of international tours, from snorkelling and sea excursions to desert safaris.
Hurghada’s hotel areas are along kilometres of beach. The sandy beach offers opportunities for both sunbathing and a variety of water sports. Many hotels have their own beach areas with sun loungers and parasols, which hotel guests can use free of charge. If you wish to visit the beach of another hotel, you will usually have to pay a small entrance fee. There are a few public beaches, but these beaches have no facilities and also have an entrance fee. Hurghada’s beach waters are quite safe for swimming and snorkelling and are also suitable for beach games for families with children.
Egypt is a relatively inexpensive holiday destination. Shopping in Hurghada ranges from cheap souvenir shops to quality designer stores. You can shop in the larger malls as well as in the small traditional bazaar stalls, which offer a different shopping experience.
For gifts and souvenirs, you can buy a piece of jewellery depicting the holy pill-roller or a papyrus plate decorated with hieroglyphics. Other traditional souvenirs from Hurghada include decorative copper ornaments, silver and gold jewellery, embroidered carpets and glass perfume bottles. Enthusiastic shopkeepers lure customers into their shops, offer refreshments and repeat a few phrases they have learned in Finnish. Bargaining is part and parcel of the trade.
Get a local feel at the El Dahar bazaar and market. Several international grocery chains, among others, are located along the main street in Sekalla. The New Hurghada area includes the large Senzo Mall, with several shops and a children’s playground.
Nightlife in Hurghada is not quite as lively as in Mediterranean destinations, for example. Bars, clubs and discos are lively in the evenings, while traditional Egyptian cafés offer a more relaxed atmosphere. The cafés are usually filled with thick carpets, coffee and tea and hookah smoking. Egyptian cafés are particularly popular in Sekalla.
Getting around Hurghada is very cheap. Taxis and minibuses are cheap, but always agree the price in advance. Uber or the local Careem app are also available in Hurghada. Uber fares are equally affordable, but you don’t have to negotiate the price with the driver. Hurghada also has a well-established bus network.
In Hurghada’s old quarter, the El Dahar bazaar area has a real local feel. Many Egyptians live here, and it’s where you’ll find the cheapest shopping. The local fruit and vegetable market, or souk, (souk as it is called in Arabic) has everything from fruit and spices to scarves, blankets and hookahs. In the souk, you’ll find great bargains and experience authentic local life, complete with traditional Egyptian costumes and noisy traders. The market is busiest in the evenings.
El Mina Mosque is located near El Dahar and is the largest and most beautiful mosque in Hurghada. The mosque is also open to visitors.
The Hurghada Marina area is the chicest area of the city centre, with a wide variety of restaurants, cafés and shops.
Egypt is also an excellent destination for a golf trip thanks to its pleasant climate. There are golf courses both near Hurghada and in Makadi Bay.
Airlines: flights on Norwegian direct from Helsinki.
Airport: Hurghada International Airport.
Flight time: about 5.5 hours.
Time difference: the time is the same as in Finland.
Passport: a Finnish passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip.
Visa: Finnish citizens need a visa for Egypt (not included in the price). The customer must apply for an Electronic Visa (E-Visa) in advance on the Egypt e-Visa Portal(visa2egypt.gov.eg). The E-Visa application must be completed and paid (25USD) at least 7 days before arrival. The visa can also be purchased at Hurghada airport on arrival, but be prepared for long queues. For visa assistance, please contact the Egyptian Embassy on tel. 09 4777470 (Finnish service).
Population: Hurghada has around 160 000 inhabitants. The total population of the country is about 116.5 million.
Currency: the Egyptian pound (LE) Major credit cards are accepted at hotels and in major restaurants and shops. ATMs are available.
Main religion: Islam. Egypt is a Muslim country and tourists should respect local customs. In mosques and outside hotel areas, dress appropriately, covering both shoulders and knees. Egyptian law also prohibits sunbathing topless.
Language: arabic
Voltage: the current is 220 V. For use with Finnish sockets, an adapter is required.
Tipping: in Egypt, many people working in the service sector depend on tipping. In hotels and restaurants, 12% is added to the bill; elsewhere it is normal to give an extra 5% or so. Taxi drivers also expect a tip (usually around 10%). You can tip a few Egyptian pounds or euros, even if All Inclusive is included in the price of your trip.
Food and drink: Egyptian food has similarities with Mediterranean cuisines from neighbouring countries such as Greece, Jordan and Lebanon. Due to the Islamic religion, alcohol is not widely available, with the exception of hotels and certain restaurants and bars.
Tap water: we recommend drinking bottled water and using bottled water when brushing your teeth. Do not drink tap water.
Ramadan 2025: Ramadan starts on 28.2.25 and ends on 29.3.25. During Ramadan, the destination is quieter and some shops and services are closed and there is no entertainment in the hotels. During Ramadan, alcohol is also limited and is often served after sunset. Some destinations and hotels do not serve alcohol at all during Ramadan, while others serve alcohol in a specific place or in rooms.
1. Off Hurghada lie the stunning, deserted Giftun Islands, where the sea is as turquoise as the Maldives. The Giftun Islands are also known as the Paradise Islands. The islands are a great day trip destination for snorkelling or enjoying the sea views. Pre-arranged day trips are available to the Giftun Islands.
2. The Makadi area is home to one of Hurghada’s largest and most acclaimed water parks, Makadi Water World. This large water park has more than 10 swimming pools and over 35 water slides for water babies of all ages. Other popular water parks include Jungle Aqua Park and Sindbad Aqua Park.
3. If you have ever dreamed of trying diving and breathing under the surface, there are many diving schools in Hurghada where you can take part in a diving experience. Diving schools also organise diving courses lasting a few days, which can get you an international diving certification, as well as diving trips for already certified divers.
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